Is Banff expensive to visit?
Banff is a frequently visited and budget-friendly place to visit. With a daily average travel cost of $85, it's somewhat less expensive than most other destinations in the world. When compared to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a reasonably affordable destination. It ranks in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Vallarta.
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
How expensive is Banff?
On average, visitors spend about $85 per day when visiting Banff (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $169 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Banff here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Banff?
A weekend trip to Banff costs about $254 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $508.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Banff?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Banff costs around $592 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,185.
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park
Is it expensive to backpack in Banff?
Banff is a fairly popular backpacker destination with more than 7 hostels around town. Dorm beds in hostels cost around $32 per night on average. There's a wide range in prices though, with the cheapest beds costing about $22 and the most expensive dorm beds costing around $42. (See hostel prices in Banff here.)
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Banff.
- $39 for a dorm bed at Samesun Banff
- $37 for a dorm bed at HI Banff Alpine Centre
- $34 for a dorm bed at HI Lake Louise
Are hotels expensive in Banff?
Considering our analysis of hotel prices in Banff, it becomes apparent that they are fairly even and moderately priced in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $161 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately [5_STAR_COUNT] five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of [5_STAR_PRICE] per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $159 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $141 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Banff
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 4 stars | 5 | $258 |
| 3 stars | 23 | $159 |
| 2 stars | 9 | $141 |
| 1 star | 2 | $71 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Banff?
Activities and things to do in Banff can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $12 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $24.
- Canmore: Wilderness & Wildlife Walking Tour - 2hrs: $66
- Icefields Parkway & Ice Bubbles of Abraham Lake Adventure: $190
- Moraine Lake and Lake Louise tour from Canmore or Banff: $113
- Experience Moraine & Lake Louise from Calgary, Canmore and Banff: $132
- Johnston Canyon Frozen Waterfalls & Banff Backroads Wildlife Tour: $82
- Guided E-Bike Tour of Canmore: $91
- Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Sunset & Wildlife Adventure: $165
- Canmore: Lost Towns and Untold Stories Hiking Tour - 3hrs: $66
Is food expensive in Banff?
Food in Banff can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $29 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $38. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Banff Food Tour: Eat the Castle: $154
Is transportation expensive in Banff?
The prices of local transportation in Banff can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $5 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $22. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Banff
If you're planning a trip to Banff, Alberta, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.